At first glance, the Orlando Cat Café seems like another coffee place tucked into a beautifully designed Central Florida retail plaza. The chalkboard signage and window art promise yummy beverages and baked goods, along with cute cat-themed décor.

But among the din of conversation and the hiss of the milk steamer, there’s unmistakable feline energy afoot. Through an adjoining window, you can see an array of cats pawing at toys between visitors’ feet, lounging on couches or playing with each other. This isn’t just a cat-themed café; it’s a café for real, live cats, all of them waiting for forever homes.

“At their best, cat cafés are more than cute gimmicks, they’re havens,” says Jessica Whitehouse, director of community “purr-lations” and daily operations manager. “They’re places where animal lovers gather, stress melts away with a single paw tap and shy cats blossom into their best selves.”

For some visitors, interacting with the cats is therapeutic. For others, it’s life changing because they can adopt from this custom designed kitty lounge.

The cat café concept isn’t new. It began in Taiwan in 1998 and spread to Japan in the early 2000s, where it exploded in popularity thanks to cramped apartments and strict pet policies. Since then, cafés have popped up in cities across the country, offering caffeine, community and adoptable cats in one Instagram-worthy package.

The Orlando Cat Café in Clermont became the first of its kind in Florida nearly a decade ago. It was founded by Sandra Cagan, a successful businesswoman and self-described “dedicated feline enthusiast” who was approaching her 50th birthday and thinking about her next chapter.

“In my world, birthdays are for launching things,” Sandra says. “So, I decided to launch a business that could save lives.”

Sandra, a longtime real estate and property management professional, saw a news segment about Japan’s cat cafés and something clicked. She loved cats. She knew how to run a business. Why not blend the two?

She brought in Jessica, then working with The Animal League, who was instrumental in forming their current partnership with SPCA Florida. In 2016, what began as a side project quickly grew into a full-time mission.

“It’s not just about the cats,” Sandra says. “It’s about the people who come here and find connection, calm and sometimes healing.”

Orlando Cat Café has placed more than 3,100 cats in loving homes since opening.  Those adoptions resulted in an 18% increase in lives saved for their rescue partner, SPCA Florida.

The café operates through a three-pronged partnership with SPCA Florida, Cagan Management Group and Minch Coffee. Each contributes expertise in rescue, real estate and hospitality.

Minch Coffee also provides drinks and snacks, while SPCA Florida supplies the adoptable cats and trained volunteers who help staff the lounge, where 12 to 15 felines roam freely at any given time during business hours.

Sandra designed the space to be both cozy and safe, with a double-door vestibule to keep the cats secure and a separate HVAC system to help contain allergens. For guests with sensitivities, a full-length viewing window offers a chance to watch the action without stepping inside.

Adoptions are handled with care and every potential pet parent answers questions about their living situation. For example, ‘Are there other animals in the home or will existing household dynamics impede a successful match?’

“Some people come in with absolutely no intention of adopting,” Jessica says. “And then it just happens. They fall in love.”

Eden LaClair knows the magic of a perfect match. A former Disney cast member turned full-time cat matchmaker, she now works at the café and runs its TikTok account. Many of her videos have gone viral.

“People come in and say, ‘I have a shy 8-year-old male at home and I need a kitten that’ll draw him out,’” Eden says. “I spend so much time with these cats that I know their personalities and love getting those matches just right.”

She also coordinates alumni updates, staying in touch with adopters and sharing photos, stories and progress reports on their website.

One particular moment stands out for her.

“There was a little cat who wouldn’t come out for weeks,” she says. “Then one day, this woman walked in, sat down and the cat crawled into her lap. That was it. That was the moment.”

Volunteer Irene Brady always enjoys giving her time. She even comes in early so she can play with the kitties before they open.

“I started right after they reopened from COVID,” she says. “I told my husband that when I retired, I was going to volunteer.”

For Marielle Shaw, the café became part of her healing journey.

“Last year, I had a liver transplant and nearly died,” she says. “Being here took my mind off everything. It was an escape, and it helped me through a really rough time.”

Sadie Gilliam, a regular from Winter Garden, drops by simply to soak in the atmosphere.

“They’re so sweet,” Sadie says. “Just sitting with the cats makes my day better.”

“It’ll be hard not to take them all home,” laughs her friend, Marissa Hart. “Especially the kittens.”

Sandra says stories like that keep her going.

“People really, really love cats,” she says. “We see tourists missing their pets, kids who can’t have cats at home, people going through something hard. This place gives them a break. A little peace.”

The café also regularly hosts events like yoga with cats, painting nights and seasonal fundraisers.

Guests may not realize that spending time with a cat helps it become more adoptable.

“We’ve had shy cats, cats with one eye, even cats missing limbs,” Jessica says. “And they’ve all found homes.”

Sandra takes no salary from the café. All profits go to SPCA Florida. She has since franchised the model and launched Orlando Cat Café Franchising. Director of Franchise Development Lisa Doroba is now fielding inquiries from across the country.

“There was no blueprint when we opened,” Sandra says. “But I knew it could work. I wanted something that mattered and these beautiful little creatures absolutely matter.”

For information about franchising contact Lisa: lisa@orlandocatcafe.com
532 Cagan Park Ave., Ste. 201-203
Clermont | 352.989.4820 | www.orlandocatcafe.com

A day in the life at Orlando Cat Café

Running a cat café isn’t all cuddles and cappuccinos, though there’s a fair amount of both. Here’s what a typical day looks like behind the scenes at Orlando Cat Café:

Morning: Prep and care 

Staff arrive early to feed the cats, check water bowls and give each feline a quick wellness check.

Litter boxes are scooped, toys are refreshed, and the space is vacuumed and wiped down to keep it clean and odor-free.

Fresh coffee and pastries are prepped in the café next door, and the first wave of reservations get set up.

Midday: Guest time and enrichment

As guests arrive, staff explain the rules (don’t pick up the cats, no flash photos, let them come to you) and guide first-timers.

Team members monitor interactions to ensure the cats are relaxed and happy, stepping in when a kitty needs a break. 

Throughout the day, toys are rotated to keep the cats stimulated. Some cats prefer window lounging, others chase wand toys — each gets a turn.

Light tidying is constant: fur is swept, water bowls are rinsed, and food areas are wiped as needed.

Afternoon: Events, naps and meet-cutes 

Special events like yoga with cats, painting classes or story time happen in rotation. These events offer enrichment for both people and pets.

The team continues matchmaking — gently suggesting cats with the right temperament for potential adopters.

Staff answer questions, take photos (with permission) and manage adoption paperwork when matches are made.

Evening: Close and reset

At day’s end, the team deep cleans the space, restocks litter, toys and food, and double-checks every enclosure and cat.

Medications, if needed, are administered.

Lights go off with one last head count, making sure each kitty is healthy, safe and ready for another day.

The care doesn’t stop when the café closes. Every interaction helps socialize the cats, making them more adoptable. It’s a full day of work — and every whiskered face is worth it.

Fees, rules and recommendations:

To Visit the Café:

Adults: $12 per person, per hour

Children under 12: $10 per person,
per hour

Reservations recommended,
especially on weekends

Walk-ins allowed when space permits

Includes full access to the cat play area; drinks sold separately at Minch Coffee

To Adopt a Cat:

Adoption fees vary depending on age, breed and medical history

All cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations

Potential adopters complete a brief application and screening process

Adoption includes take-home guidance and ongoing support from SPCA Florida

Every dollar goes toward cat care and helps make future matches possible

Photos: Nicole Hamel + Provided